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Spice Shop Mystery #2
Kill 'Em with Cayenne
A brand new finger-lickin' good mystery featuring small-town Georgia spice shop owner Piper Prescott, a smart and spunky amateur sleuth.
Spices are flying off the shelves of Spice It Up!, and Piper Prescott couldn’t be happier. It's that time of year again—time for the annual Brandywine Creek Barbecue Festival. Soon contestants and BBQ aficionados from all over the Southeast will converge on the town. Many of Brandywine Creek's citizens plan to participate in the week-long festivities and are busily concocting savory rubs and sassy sauces. Among the locals vying for the grand prize are Becca Dapkins and Maybelle Humphries. The women have been arch enemies ever since Buzz Oliver dumped Maybelle after a 13-year courtship and started seeing Becca. When Becca's body is found near one of the festival booths, bludgeoned by a brisket, Maybelle becomes one of Chief Wyatt McBride's top suspects. Determined to help clear her friend's name, Piper begins her own investigation, much to McBride's consternation. As the festival draws closer, will Piper and Reba Mae be able to find the real killer and clear Maybelle's name? Will Piper make it to the annual shag contest with Doug Winters, the mild-mannered vet she's been seeing? And, who will win the BBQ cook-off?
Spices are flying off the shelves of Spice It Up!, and Piper Prescott couldn’t be happier. It's that time of year again—time for the annual Brandywine Creek Barbecue Festival. Soon contestants and BBQ aficionados from all over the Southeast will converge on the town. Many of Brandywine Creek's citizens plan to participate in the week-long festivities and are busily concocting savory rubs and sassy sauces. Among the locals vying for the grand prize are Becca Dapkins and Maybelle Humphries. The women have been arch enemies ever since Buzz Oliver dumped Maybelle after a 13-year courtship and started seeing Becca. When Becca's body is found near one of the festival booths, bludgeoned by a brisket, Maybelle becomes one of Chief Wyatt McBride's top suspects. Determined to help clear her friend's name, Piper begins her own investigation, much to McBride's consternation. As the festival draws closer, will Piper and Reba Mae be able to find the real killer and clear Maybelle's name? Will Piper make it to the annual shag contest with Doug Winters, the mild-mannered vet she's been seeing? And, who will win the BBQ cook-off?
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First published December 16, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
September 30, 2017
I am really enjoying this new-to-me series.
January 14, 2015
Reviewed for Read Your Writes Book Reviews
by Kim
Kill ‘em with Cayenne is the second book in Gail Oust’s A Spice Shop Mystery Series. Told in first person from the point of view of Piper Prescott, it kept me entertained from the beginning. Gail is a new author to me, and I loved that I was able to pick up this book and not feel lost in character interactions and dynamics.
I liked the fact that the murder of Becca Dapkins happened quickly in the book. Oh no...Does that make me a bad person for wanting someone to die? But after that, there really isn't a whole lot going on. The town of Brandywine, Georgia is preparing for it’s annual barbecue festival. There are what seem to be little meaningless crimes going on. But you have to wonder if these crimes are something more.
While the death of Becca is shocking, the list of potential killers isn’t. Becca, who worked in the office of the town’s water department, wasn’t really a well-liked woman. She was the type of woman who saw a man she wanted and set out to get him. It didn’t matter to her if he was available or not.
The likely suspect is Maybelle Humphries, who happens to be a friend of Piper’s. With the motive of Becca stealing her man and no alibi, Chief Wyatt McBride is looking at Maybelle as the killer. Not wanting Maybelle to go to prison for a crime she didn’t commit, Piper starts to look for clues and other suspects on her own. This, of course, puts her at odds once again with the sexy and charming homegrown Chief.
Generally, in cozies, I find that the life of the protagonist is put in jeopardy several times throughout the book. That wasn’t the case with Kill ‘em with Cayenne. Piper’s life is on an even keel. For the most part, she’s just going on with her daily life. Unfortunately, that involves having to deal with her 16 going on 25-year-old daughter, her cheating ex-husband, and the annoying homewrecker, who her husband happens to be marrying.
I think really one of my favorite things about the book were the red herrings. I will admit to going around in circles, trying to figure out who murdered Becca and why. I didn’t find the climax to be overly dramatic, but it was perfect. I could honestly care less about spices (no offense to Piper and her shop Spice it Up!), but I’m not much of a cook. With that said....I’m really glad I read this book and I’m looking forward to more books in this series. Psst Gail....Chief Wyatt McBride seems to be a whole lot more fun than dull vet Doug Winters. The romance girl in me is on pins and needles waiting to see if Chief McBride is going to make a move or not.
**Received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest unbiased review.**
by Kim
Kill ‘em with Cayenne is the second book in Gail Oust’s A Spice Shop Mystery Series. Told in first person from the point of view of Piper Prescott, it kept me entertained from the beginning. Gail is a new author to me, and I loved that I was able to pick up this book and not feel lost in character interactions and dynamics.
I liked the fact that the murder of Becca Dapkins happened quickly in the book. Oh no...Does that make me a bad person for wanting someone to die? But after that, there really isn't a whole lot going on. The town of Brandywine, Georgia is preparing for it’s annual barbecue festival. There are what seem to be little meaningless crimes going on. But you have to wonder if these crimes are something more.
While the death of Becca is shocking, the list of potential killers isn’t. Becca, who worked in the office of the town’s water department, wasn’t really a well-liked woman. She was the type of woman who saw a man she wanted and set out to get him. It didn’t matter to her if he was available or not.
The likely suspect is Maybelle Humphries, who happens to be a friend of Piper’s. With the motive of Becca stealing her man and no alibi, Chief Wyatt McBride is looking at Maybelle as the killer. Not wanting Maybelle to go to prison for a crime she didn’t commit, Piper starts to look for clues and other suspects on her own. This, of course, puts her at odds once again with the sexy and charming homegrown Chief.
Generally, in cozies, I find that the life of the protagonist is put in jeopardy several times throughout the book. That wasn’t the case with Kill ‘em with Cayenne. Piper’s life is on an even keel. For the most part, she’s just going on with her daily life. Unfortunately, that involves having to deal with her 16 going on 25-year-old daughter, her cheating ex-husband, and the annoying homewrecker, who her husband happens to be marrying.
I think really one of my favorite things about the book were the red herrings. I will admit to going around in circles, trying to figure out who murdered Becca and why. I didn’t find the climax to be overly dramatic, but it was perfect. I could honestly care less about spices (no offense to Piper and her shop Spice it Up!), but I’m not much of a cook. With that said....I’m really glad I read this book and I’m looking forward to more books in this series. Psst Gail....Chief Wyatt McBride seems to be a whole lot more fun than dull vet Doug Winters. The romance girl in me is on pins and needles waiting to see if Chief McBride is going to make a move or not.
**Received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest unbiased review.**
March 20, 2018
Quasi 5 stelle piene.
Altro bel libro: sono davvero contenta di aver finalmente deciso di provare anche questa serie!
Mi piace lo stile dell'autrice e il cast di personaggi non è male, a parte la migliore amica della protagonista che, a volte, trovo un po' troppo sopra le righe. Non male la storia, anche se stavolta avevo capito ben presto chi fosse il colpevole, sebbene sia stato più seguendo l'istinto che gli indizi.
Altro bel libro: sono davvero contenta di aver finalmente deciso di provare anche questa serie!
Mi piace lo stile dell'autrice e il cast di personaggi non è male, a parte la migliore amica della protagonista che, a volte, trovo un po' troppo sopra le righe. Non male la storia, anche se stavolta avevo capito ben presto chi fosse il colpevole, sebbene sia stato più seguendo l'istinto che gli indizi.
April 24, 2019
3.5 Stars rounded up to 4 Stars.
April 19, 2019
"Change is a good thing, right?"
Piper Prescott is back with her lovely shop, Spice It Up!, in small town Brandywine Creek, Georgia. A national barbeque competition is being held in the town. Piper is excited for the extra business this will bring her spice shop. A quarrel between two women over stealing a man puts a damper on the festival when one is found dead and the other is the prime suspect,
Piper once again finds the body much to the woe of Police Chief Wyatt McBride. Her need to meddle in the investigation causes him distress. Add a former classmate turned celebrity and Wyatt is beyond frustrated.
I really enjoy the interaction between characters. You just know that Reba Mae would be your best friend. The various shopkeepers are portrayed in a believable fashion. I'm a little hesitant about the triangle between Piper, Wyatt and veterinarian, Doug Winters. Piper seems a bit too interested in Wyatt considering that she is dating Doug.
Casey, the pup that Piper rescued in the first book, is living a happy life now. He finds the body this time and leads Piper to it. The bad blood between the victim and her adversary immediately puts Maybelle as the prime suspect. A glimpse inside her life is quite sad as we learn bits and pieces about her past.
The mystery was good and kept me guessing until the end. There were clues thrown out that I missed but I'm not sure that I would have connected the dots.
This is a fun series that educates you on spices and allows you to escape to a small town if only for the time you are reading,
I look forward to reading the next book.
Piper Prescott is back with her lovely shop, Spice It Up!, in small town Brandywine Creek, Georgia. A national barbeque competition is being held in the town. Piper is excited for the extra business this will bring her spice shop. A quarrel between two women over stealing a man puts a damper on the festival when one is found dead and the other is the prime suspect,
Piper once again finds the body much to the woe of Police Chief Wyatt McBride. Her need to meddle in the investigation causes him distress. Add a former classmate turned celebrity and Wyatt is beyond frustrated.
I really enjoy the interaction between characters. You just know that Reba Mae would be your best friend. The various shopkeepers are portrayed in a believable fashion. I'm a little hesitant about the triangle between Piper, Wyatt and veterinarian, Doug Winters. Piper seems a bit too interested in Wyatt considering that she is dating Doug.
Casey, the pup that Piper rescued in the first book, is living a happy life now. He finds the body this time and leads Piper to it. The bad blood between the victim and her adversary immediately puts Maybelle as the prime suspect. A glimpse inside her life is quite sad as we learn bits and pieces about her past.
The mystery was good and kept me guessing until the end. There were clues thrown out that I missed but I'm not sure that I would have connected the dots.
This is a fun series that educates you on spices and allows you to escape to a small town if only for the time you are reading,
I look forward to reading the next book.
February 10, 2019
Light and funny cozy mystery that, oddly enough does not involve killing anyone with cayenne. Wish I could give it a 3.5. I love that it includes a few recipes - among them is "Dr. Doug's Butt Rub".
December 12, 2023
I am enjoying this series. Love the characters and the mystery.
January 9, 2015
I really enjoyed Rosemary & Crime, the first book in the Spice Shop Mystery Series so I knew I had to return to Brandwine Creek and see what Piper Prescott and her gang were up to now.
Piper’s been very busy at her shop, Spice It Up, and now she’ll be even busier. It’s time for the yearly Brandywine Creek BBQ Festival and the town will be filled with strangers coming to compete. Many of the locals will be competing too.
You can sense trouble brewing when Becca and Maybelle both enter the contest. These too have no fondness for each other and have been bitter enemies since back in middle school.
Trouble boils over when Becca is found dead and Maybelle becomes suspect number 1.
There are many things I look for in a cozy mystery. A fun title. Colorful cover art. Loveable, laughable characters. A well developed location for the story. A dastardly, elusive villain. And sweet, teasing romance.
I wasn’t disappointed with this book.
Kill ‘em with Cayenne. How could I resist that title and it connects to Piper and her shop, Spice It Up.
The cover art is simple, yet charming and I’m wondering if the spilled spice represents the murder. Quite creative. I’d pick it up if I happened to spot it on a shelf.
The characters are many, with colorful names, and their personalities are easily distinguished. You have the good, the bad, and the ugly.
The villain is not who you’d expect so the mystery is sustained til the end.
The town of Brandywine Creek is just what you’d expect in a small town. I live in one and felt quite at home. We have a lot of festivals and BBQ and chili cook offs are huge here in the south.
The romance is sweet and just becoming teasing. I do wonder whether Piper and Sheriff Wyatt McBride will spice it up in the next book.
This is a cozy mystery series for all fans of the genre. You’ll love the characters, boo the villain, and become enchanted with the colorful town. It’s all good, clean fun. And there are some yummy recipes included at the end of this book that you might want to try for yourself.
I received this book for my honest review.
Piper’s been very busy at her shop, Spice It Up, and now she’ll be even busier. It’s time for the yearly Brandywine Creek BBQ Festival and the town will be filled with strangers coming to compete. Many of the locals will be competing too.
You can sense trouble brewing when Becca and Maybelle both enter the contest. These too have no fondness for each other and have been bitter enemies since back in middle school.
Trouble boils over when Becca is found dead and Maybelle becomes suspect number 1.
There are many things I look for in a cozy mystery. A fun title. Colorful cover art. Loveable, laughable characters. A well developed location for the story. A dastardly, elusive villain. And sweet, teasing romance.
I wasn’t disappointed with this book.
Kill ‘em with Cayenne. How could I resist that title and it connects to Piper and her shop, Spice It Up.
The cover art is simple, yet charming and I’m wondering if the spilled spice represents the murder. Quite creative. I’d pick it up if I happened to spot it on a shelf.
The characters are many, with colorful names, and their personalities are easily distinguished. You have the good, the bad, and the ugly.
The villain is not who you’d expect so the mystery is sustained til the end.
The town of Brandywine Creek is just what you’d expect in a small town. I live in one and felt quite at home. We have a lot of festivals and BBQ and chili cook offs are huge here in the south.
The romance is sweet and just becoming teasing. I do wonder whether Piper and Sheriff Wyatt McBride will spice it up in the next book.
This is a cozy mystery series for all fans of the genre. You’ll love the characters, boo the villain, and become enchanted with the colorful town. It’s all good, clean fun. And there are some yummy recipes included at the end of this book that you might want to try for yourself.
I received this book for my honest review.
January 16, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
The annual Brandywine Creek Barbecue Festival takes a significant turn when Barbara Quinlan nee Bunker comes home to visit and introduces herself as “Barbie-Q” and tells everyone she is there to film the festival for her new television shoe Some Like It Hot. That doesn’t sit well with Becca Dapkins at all. Becca and Barbie have a past and it wasn’t good. In fact Becca’s relationship with many residents of Brandywine Creek isn’t good. When Becca’s body is found the suspects should be many but Piper’s friend, Maybelle Humphries, becomes the prime suspect. This puts Piper hot to start investigating with an assist of Reba Mae. Add this to all the other festival fun and things get really spicy!
Gail Oust second Spice Shop Mystery marks the return of the characters we liked from the first book. She also introduces us to some very interesting characters in town for the Barbecue Festival especially Miss Barbie-Q. Piper’s dog, Casey, led Piper to the discover Becca’s body, but I don’t think he liked the references to becoming a cadaver dog :)
The plot of the mystery is very creative and something I wasn’t expecting was the missing ingredient that brings the whole murder recipe together.
I wish the romance between Piper and local vet Doug had a little more heat. I think she needs to explore the options she may have with Police Chief MacBride.
I am already looking forward to the next Spice Shop Mystery!
January 8, 2015
I was sent an advanced reading copy of KILL ‘EM WITH CYENNE in exchange for a review. That being said, I’m thrilled I was given the chance because I really liked this book! Now I need to go back and read the first book in this Spice Shop Mystery series, ROSEMARY AND CRIME.
I found protagonist Piper Prescott to be very witty and enjoyable, and I loved the story being told through her narrative. The supporting characters in this southern cozy are well done and perfect for the setting.
Ms. Oust wastes no time getting to the ‘finding of the body’ in this book, which ensures you’ll never have the chance to become bored. There are plenty of plot twists and turns to keep you guessing until the exciting reveal.
Included at the end of the book is a Guide To Peppers and three mouthwatering recipes.
Spice up your library with KILL ‘EM WITH CAYENNE. You’re sure to savor it as much as I did!
I found protagonist Piper Prescott to be very witty and enjoyable, and I loved the story being told through her narrative. The supporting characters in this southern cozy are well done and perfect for the setting.
Ms. Oust wastes no time getting to the ‘finding of the body’ in this book, which ensures you’ll never have the chance to become bored. There are plenty of plot twists and turns to keep you guessing until the exciting reveal.
Included at the end of the book is a Guide To Peppers and three mouthwatering recipes.
Spice up your library with KILL ‘EM WITH CAYENNE. You’re sure to savor it as much as I did!
April 14, 2018
Kill 'Em with Cayenne by Gail Oust is the second book in the Spice Shop Mystery series. Brandywine Creek is holding it's annual Barbecue Festival, an especially busy time for Piper Prescott, owner of Spice It Up. Piper comes across the body of one of the local residents bludgeoned to death by a frozen brisket, and one of her friends Maybelle becomes chief suspect. An enjoyable and fun mystery, I liked learning about the various spices and the recipes. The main letdown was Piper's flirting with Chief McBride, while in a relationship with veterinarian Doug Winters. Hopefully this will be resolved in the next book.
May 14, 2015
This is the second Piper Prescott and the Spice Shop mystery I've read and this was every bit as enjoyable as the first. This has a triangle love interest going on with the Vet who is pretty much her current boyfriend and with the Chief of Police, Wyatt who she finds makes her flustered. I don't really like the triangle thing but because the rest of the book is so enjoyable, I found that it was a tolerable situation. I love the characters and how well they interact. I hope Gail Oust continues with this delightful series.
August 29, 2017
Kill 'Em with Cayenne: Spice Shop Mystery 2
In A Nutshell: A cosy mystery with all the hallmarks; a divorced mother in a small town, hunk of a sheriff and love interests are everywhere, even online. The murder weapon is unique and so are the suspects. The murderer and protagonist show down is over egged, but it's an enjoyable read.
The Plot: Following the showdown in Piper Prescott's spice shop between arch rivals Becca Dapkins and Maybelle Humphries, Becca turns up dead. But Maybelle is not the only person who had issues with the unpopular Becca.
The Protagonist: Pint-size Piper is again the bungling investigator. Perhaps, that is her character. She is a struggling single mum and business owner. Her pleasant disposition and ability to deal with her wealthy ex-husband's arrogance will make you root for her.
I confess that this is the first mystery where I was laying odds on who the victim would be. The opening scenes sets up a few who characters who may be a good choice. It was convenient that the argument happened in Piper's shop and it's her dog that found the body. But it's a realistic coincidence.
The book patters away merrily and will hold your interest. There are strong characters like Reba Mae. She is the Kookey friend of Piper. And even CJ her ex-husband adds to the quality of the story. There is a love interest in the making with the Sheriff and the vet. Any more would be a spoiler. And there is enough of that with Piper's confrontation with the killer. Piper pushes the way too much. That takes it from a cosy mystery to an incredulous mystery. And the killer's behaviour is nonsensical!
Nonetheless, it is a pleasant way to while away a few hours. Go for it.
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Book Rating
Sexual Content: U
Language: U
Violent: U
Would I read the next oneor reread ?: Yes
My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book (waste of time)
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A great read. A prominent example of the genre
In A Nutshell: A cosy mystery with all the hallmarks; a divorced mother in a small town, hunk of a sheriff and love interests are everywhere, even online. The murder weapon is unique and so are the suspects. The murderer and protagonist show down is over egged, but it's an enjoyable read.
The Plot: Following the showdown in Piper Prescott's spice shop between arch rivals Becca Dapkins and Maybelle Humphries, Becca turns up dead. But Maybelle is not the only person who had issues with the unpopular Becca.
The Protagonist: Pint-size Piper is again the bungling investigator. Perhaps, that is her character. She is a struggling single mum and business owner. Her pleasant disposition and ability to deal with her wealthy ex-husband's arrogance will make you root for her.
I confess that this is the first mystery where I was laying odds on who the victim would be. The opening scenes sets up a few who characters who may be a good choice. It was convenient that the argument happened in Piper's shop and it's her dog that found the body. But it's a realistic coincidence.
The book patters away merrily and will hold your interest. There are strong characters like Reba Mae. She is the Kookey friend of Piper. And even CJ her ex-husband adds to the quality of the story. There is a love interest in the making with the Sheriff and the vet. Any more would be a spoiler. And there is enough of that with Piper's confrontation with the killer. Piper pushes the way too much. That takes it from a cosy mystery to an incredulous mystery. And the killer's behaviour is nonsensical!
Nonetheless, it is a pleasant way to while away a few hours. Go for it.
Connect with me on Twitter
Follow my blog on Bloglovin’
Book Rating
Sexual Content: U
Language: U
Violent: U
Would I read the next one
My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book (waste of time)
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A great read. A prominent example of the genre
April 7, 2018
Piper Prescott is the owner of a lovely spice shop in Brandywine Creek, Georgia. Spice It Up! Is looking forward to a spike in business from the annual Brandywine Creek Barbecue Festival. Barbecue chefs and fans are converging on the town from all over the country. For one week the town will be enjoying the scents and flavors of BBQ. Several locals will also be joining the competition, including arch rivals Becca Dapkins (water company employee) and Maybelle Humphries (head of the Chamber of Commerce). Their rivalry began when Buzz Oliver dumped his fiance Maybelle (after 13 years) for Becca.
Sadly, Becca never has the chance to compete due to her untimely demise. Her body is discovered in the town square after being bludgeoned to death by a brisket. Maybelle immediately becomes Chief Wyatt McBride’s top suspect. Piper doesn’t believe for a minute that Maybelle is guilty. Piper is determined, with the assistance of her best friend, Reba Mae, to clear Maybelle’s name and begins her own investigation.
I enjoyed this book very much. The characters are very realistic and nicely developed. I like the fact that Piper and her ex-mother-in-law remain close. This story line is filled with a lot of subplots and keeps the action moving. I enjoy learning a little bit about spices while reading, and it’s not too overwhelming. The setting for this book is an easy-going southern town. I also seem to like cozy’s that have the protagonist living above their business and this book does. I will definitely be reading book 3.
Sadly, Becca never has the chance to compete due to her untimely demise. Her body is discovered in the town square after being bludgeoned to death by a brisket. Maybelle immediately becomes Chief Wyatt McBride’s top suspect. Piper doesn’t believe for a minute that Maybelle is guilty. Piper is determined, with the assistance of her best friend, Reba Mae, to clear Maybelle’s name and begins her own investigation.
I enjoyed this book very much. The characters are very realistic and nicely developed. I like the fact that Piper and her ex-mother-in-law remain close. This story line is filled with a lot of subplots and keeps the action moving. I enjoy learning a little bit about spices while reading, and it’s not too overwhelming. The setting for this book is an easy-going southern town. I also seem to like cozy’s that have the protagonist living above their business and this book does. I will definitely be reading book 3.
July 9, 2018
Spice It Up! (and by extension Piper) is doing well, especially as the annual Barbecue Festival is just around the corner (meaning people are trying new flavours to edge themselves to the top of the taste charts!), tempers are also hot and there is particular enmity between Maybelle and Becca (the latter stole Maybelle's fiance), no one though expected a dead body to be the outcome of any arguments. Piper and Reba Mae are sure that Maybelle is innocent, now all they need to do is prove it to McBride, add into the mix a local girl made good in the form of Barbie Quinlan (aka Barbie Q) who seems to favour McBride and loathe Piper, Lindsey is pushing the boundaries again and Doug wants Piper to take part in the Shag Dance off (he also hopes to take home a prize for his pork butt!)
We have some new people in Brandywine which makes life a little tricky for Piper to track down a murderer but Gail Oust wrote another humdinger of a story which flows easily from hiccup to hiccup for our two BFF's, a great 2nd book and I am ready to read #3.
We have some new people in Brandywine which makes life a little tricky for Piper to track down a murderer but Gail Oust wrote another humdinger of a story which flows easily from hiccup to hiccup for our two BFF's, a great 2nd book and I am ready to read #3.
June 22, 2024
Light read, includes a couple of recipes at the back of the book.
Piper Prescott owns a spice store, and the town is holding a bbq contest so her fresh spices should be i demand in preparation of the proteins!
She's decided to take up jogging. Hmm, maybe that's not such a great idea as her rescue pup finds a dead body under the azalea bushes across the street from Piper's store and home!
To add to the excitement, the cast of characters includes a hometown girl who went from ugly duckling to beautiful TV personality, a hometown guy who went from Florida cop to local head cop, Piper's boyfriend the local vet, Piper's ex-hubby a hometown boy turned attorney engaged to a trophy fiancee, Piper's daughter, Piper's best friend who runs the beauty salon next door, some feuding townspeople, some gossipy townspeople......and the BBQ contest!
Piper Prescott owns a spice store, and the town is holding a bbq contest so her fresh spices should be i demand in preparation of the proteins!
She's decided to take up jogging. Hmm, maybe that's not such a great idea as her rescue pup finds a dead body under the azalea bushes across the street from Piper's store and home!
To add to the excitement, the cast of characters includes a hometown girl who went from ugly duckling to beautiful TV personality, a hometown guy who went from Florida cop to local head cop, Piper's boyfriend the local vet, Piper's ex-hubby a hometown boy turned attorney engaged to a trophy fiancee, Piper's daughter, Piper's best friend who runs the beauty salon next door, some feuding townspeople, some gossipy townspeople......and the BBQ contest!
February 15, 2018
Piper and the gang in Brandywine Creek are gearing up for the annual BBQ festival and everyone is getting their receipes ready including Becca Dapkins who is determined to win. But, when Becca ends up murdered by a brisket and Piper finds her among the azaleas, everyone in town has a theory about who done it and most agree it's likely Maybelle Humphries. Everyone knows the two haven't gotten along since Becca stole Maybelle's man and they were seen having an argument in Spice It Up the day before Becca turned up dead.
Piper knows that Maybelle isn't responsible and she's determined to use her amateur detective skills to once again capture a killer. With the help of her best friend and co-conspirator Reba Mae, Piper sets out to unwind the mystery of who killed Becca with the brisket.
Piper knows that Maybelle isn't responsible and she's determined to use her amateur detective skills to once again capture a killer. With the help of her best friend and co-conspirator Reba Mae, Piper sets out to unwind the mystery of who killed Becca with the brisket.
March 6, 2019
The annual BBQ festival is the setting for this, the 2nd book of the series. Spices are selling like crazy for rubs and sauces. 2 local women are vying for the blue ribbon - and for Buzz Oliver. When a body is found in the town square bushes, the prime suspect is innocent as far as Piper and Reba Mae are concerned. So off they go, amateur detectives that they think they are, looking for clues and doing their own investigation. Lots of spice info, cheating ex-husbands, a snotty teenage daughter - fun read.
June 12, 2025
Another easy, pleasant cozy murder mystery. This is my favorite type of book to read when I just want to relax and be entertained. It's easy to pick up right where you left off, there aren't a million characters to keep straight, the story is engaging and the characters are relatable. I want to live in a little apartment above my own shop like Piper and know all the goings on in the town and all the people with their quirks (and murderous hearts). I appreciate that there are no spicy scenes or crude characters/situations and I highly recommend this book.
July 20, 2018
AAAAAANNNNNDDDD...my one wish is granted. At the end of this book, also a fun read, is a section on information about peppers, and a few recipes using them! I so enjoyed the first book, and this one is even better with this addition. Characters are well-drawn, there are fun twists in the plot, but not so many that you can't keep them straight, and I just LIKE "our heroine." I'd LIVE in that shop if we were neighbors!
November 17, 2018
I am enjoying the antics of Piper Prescott and the other characters of The Spice Shop Mystery, Kill 'Em With Cayenne, by Gail Oust. A true cozy in the sense that the "victim" sort of had it coming and the amateur sleuth puts herself in harm's way stumbling around trying to do her own "investigation" and then needs to be rescued more often than not. I just hope the author resolves the love triangle pretty darn quick.
April 11, 2020
Another great book for a lazy weekend. Piper Prescott has a spice shop, it's time for the annual Brandywine Creek Barbecue Festival and business is booming. While Piper is out walking her dog, they discover the body of Becca. One of the prime suspects is Piper's friend Maybelle Humphries who won't provide an alibi so it's up to Piper to figure out just what happened so her friend doesn't end up in jail for a crime Piper knows she didn't commit.
April 24, 2025
Something bothered about this book for most of the time I was reading it, and then it suddenly dawned on me that the two men she's hanging out with are the same guys from the Hannah Swenson series. One is a vet here instead of a dentist, but same personality. (This one has less of it). I quit reading Hannah Swenson because I could no longer tolerate those two guys, so there's no way I'm reading that in another series.
September 29, 2024
Good story
I enjoyed reading this book in the spice shop series. Piper is a fun character and hers friends definitely add spice to the story.
A barbecue competition brings everyone together, but a dead body adds fear to the community and Piper is determined to prove her friend is innocent.
I enjoyed reading this book in the spice shop series. Piper is a fun character and hers friends definitely add spice to the story.
A barbecue competition brings everyone together, but a dead body adds fear to the community and Piper is determined to prove her friend is innocent.
September 23, 2019
I bounce between being entertained by Piper's sleuthing/snooping and annoyed. She keeps landing in hot water without thinking first and making sure she has backup. The spice shop and small town charm is appealing even when her antics aren't.
May 23, 2020
AHotRead
Well written and the suspense keeps you reading. Gail Oust is a must read writer.
I would recommend all her books in the Spice Shop Series.
Well written and the suspense keeps you reading. Gail Oust is a must read writer.
I would recommend all her books in the Spice Shop Series.
February 6, 2021
The town barbecue festival brings an influx of contestants and a TV crew. Trouble isn't far behind.
The murder of one of the town's least liked citizens leaves spice shop owner, Piper, trying to prove her friend's innocence.
Started with second book in series. Need to backtrack.
The murder of one of the town's least liked citizens leaves spice shop owner, Piper, trying to prove her friend's innocence.
Started with second book in series. Need to backtrack.
March 8, 2024
I liked the book. A little too slow in some parts. I wish she would dump the vet and get with McBride. She seems to constantly have to convince herself she likes the vet. Reba Mae should get with him.
November 30, 2017
Read two chapters. I'd rather watch grass grow.
July 16, 2018
Another cozy mystery that I enjoyed and learned some great information about spices.
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